Diplomacy at work with respect to Iran: Obama

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - 01:21

On the topic of Iran, President Obama says, ''For the first time in a decade, we've halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material.'' Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

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ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
"Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran," U.S. President Barack Obama said during his State of the Union address on Tuesday (January 20).
..."Where, for the first time in a decade, we've halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material."
Obama has warned lawmakers not to trigger new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, saying such a move would upset diplomatic talks and increase the likelihood of a military conflict with Tehran.
"Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran; secures America and our allies - including Israel; while avoiding yet another Middle East conflict," Obama said.
"There are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed, and I keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran. But new sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails - alienating America from its allies; and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again. It doesn't make sense. That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress. The American people expect us to only go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom."